Device for controlling, regulating and monitoring a motion-picture camera

ABSTRACT

A device for controlling, regulating and monitoring a cine camera with a control and/or data detection unit which is connected to devices for controlling and/or detecting camera or recording functions, and connected to operating and control devices for controlling and monitoring camera and recording functions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for controlling, regulating andmonitoring a motion-picture camera (a cine camera).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to operate a cine camera a number of parameters have to be setand changed before and during recording, such as for example therecording frequency, the sector aperture opening, iris diaphragmopening, focus and focal length of the lens. Some of these parameterscan be linked together by flow programs in order, for example, tomaintain a constant depth of focus during a take despite differentlighting conditions. To this end, the time curve of the change of boththe recording frequency and of the sector opening is programmed andmonitored by means of a camera control device. The camera control devicefurthermore monitors camera functions such as the co-ordination of theindividual camera motors, the setting of the end-of-film pre-warning,the setting for reverse running, and the setting of time codes and userbits.

Setting the iris diaphragm opening, focus and focal length is undertakenon lens rings of the camera lens. For a simpler and more reliablesetting of the camera lens it is preferred to use operating elementswhich are either attached to the camera itself or are formed asremote-control operations.

From EP A 574 105 a modular control system is known for a camera whereinthe devices controlling and detecting the camera functions are connectedby a control and data bus to a manual operating unit or to a main manualoperating unit to which several secondary manual operating units can beattached. A remote control of the camera functions, listing of thecamera functions and retrieval of stored or programmed settings andsetting sequences is possible with this modular control system.

With this control system, certain camera functions such as zoom, focusand iris adjustment are undertaken in the individual manual operatingunit or in the separate manual operating units which are howeverconnected together by the main manual operation unit. A local separationof these operating functions is thereby not provided and, as a result ofthe connection of secondary units with a main unit, are only possible ata slight distance from each other. Monitoring, listing and datadetection functions are likewise not provided by the known modularcontrol system for a camera.

From JP 4-42673 A it is known to transfer control signals from anoperator console to a camera by means of radio signals. This system doesnot however include the separation of the units on the operator sideinto several units associated with the different camera functions aswell as into units associated with the different functions ofcontrolling, monitoring and data detection.

In addition to these pure tasks for controlling the camera functions,further control and listing tasks relating to camera- andrecording-specific data have to be carried out before and during filmrecording, such as listing the recording sequences, camera settings,picture sequences and exposed film lengths of a camera cassette. Theseadministrative functions are undertaken by a number of different peopleand carried out at different locations. During film recordings and atthe conclusion of film recordings, the data are collected, processed,re-used or registered for processing the film. Much of this data is usedfor memory functions in order, for example, to repeat certain camerasettings or to revise film sequences, etc.

The administration of this amount of data is time-consuming and requiresa high degree of precision as well as the adjustment of the runningcamera prior to a recording as well as renewing the parameters during arecording. This frequently causes collisions between the variousoperating people as well as time-consuming repetitions, new adjustmentsand changes of the recording parameters and camera settings.

Apart from the camera-specific control and monitoring functions, it isoften necessary to control accessory devices and devices used forpositioning and aligning the cine camera, such as the tripod head,camera trolley, lighting devices etc, and to monitor and make minuteadjustments. Such control, monitoring and listing tasks are necessaryfor example for co-ordinating and synchronizing film sequences (takes)which are recorded separately from each other either in time and/orlocation. One example of this is linking natural recording sequences aswell as recording sequences set up by computer-assisted, moreparticularly three-dimensional simulation and which have to be matchedwith each other both spatially and in time so that when linking theseparately produced recording sequences, the impression is given of areal synchronized action development recorded under the same viewingangle.

In order to produce special effects of this kind, real scenes arerecorded with a cine camera, where applicable, with the inclusion ofactors and, independently of this, three-dimensional computer animationsare produced where a virtual camera is moved, more particularly pannedover the animation scenes. This requires that the virtual cameraexecutes precisely, both spatially and in time, the same movement as thereal camera. All the camera and recording-specific data, such aslight/dark sector of the orbital aperture of the camera, the runningspeed of the camera, distance settings, recording angle, lens data mustall agree.

If the corresponding film sequences agree then the original picture, thereal filmed scenes, are scanned and the preferably three-dimensionalcomputer animations are superimposed on the scanning sequence so thatthe mixed recording sequences can be transferred to a negative film bymeans of an exposure device.

The listing of all the camera- and accessory-specific data is extremelyexpensive, particularly if the settings of the camera and the accessorydevices are carried out by different operating people at differentlocations and at different times. Apart from inaccuracies with thereproduction of the different adjustment parameters, recording andretrieving data is connected with high production costs and in manycases leads to a restriction on the artistic freedom of the director aswell as the operating people entrusted with the individual adjustmenttasks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to guarantee a device for thecontrol, monitoring and data detection of camera functions from variouslocations and by different operating persons with the lowest possibledisruption to the control operation of the camera through the monitoringand data detection of camera functions and to allow a rapid connectionof the operating and setting units, which can be configured in any way.

This invention is achieved by a control and/or data detection unit whichis connected to devices for controlling and/or detecting camera orrecording functions and connected to operating and control devices forcontrolling and monitoring the camera and recording functions.

The solution according to the invention allows a universal, reliable,simple, and networkable operation of a cine camera, its control fromdifferent locations with mobile units and thus any location change ofthe operating people independently of each other, a simplification ofthe administration functions, a more efficient film production withlower production costs and shorter production times, whilst retainingall the artistic freedoms for the director and the operating peopleinvolved in the recording sequences and computer animations, a rapidconnection of the various operating and adjustment units which can beconfigured in any way as well as a simple picture-synchronized listingof all the data of the recorded film sequences which can be reproducedat any time.

Overall the solution according to the invention provides a freelyconfigurable system wherein control, monitoring and data detectionfunctions are separated spatially from each other. By splitting up thevarious functions of the control, monitoring and data detection, thelocal separation of the operating persons entrusted with these tasksbecomes possible and thus the prerequisite for this is that thesepersons can each concentrate fully on the function falling within theirtask area of controlling, monitoring or detecting data relating to thecamera or recording operation.

By uncoupling the individual functions of the control, monitoring anddata detection, the important control operation for controlling thevarious camera functions is only minimally disturbed.

Furthermore, the solution provides a universal, simple, reliable,networkable remote control which is independent of location and withoutthe need for a cable connection with the cine camera. The control of thecine camera as well as looking after the administration functions bylisting recording- and camera-specific data can be carried out from anypositions and even a change of location during the control andmonitoring activity is possible without problem. Furthermore, it ispossible to carry out a precise time coupling of camera slope functionswith the adjustment of the lens setting and to fulfill memory functions.

Coupling different cine cameras, for example, for listing recording- andcamera-specific data through networks, is also possible so that any lossof data is avoided, the film processing becomes easier and thereproduction of certain camera settings and recording situations ispossible.

The control units on the operator side can also thereby be coupled toexisting cable remote control units so that compatibility with theexisting apparatus is ensured. The data security and resistance tobreakdown is thereby guaranteed and a user-specific hierarchy, whereincertain priority rights are allocated to the users, which in the eventof conflicting data, ensure data selection according to priority rights.

An advantageous development of the solution is that the control or datadetection unit is connected to a device for producing and/or detectingfilm-fixed markings.

By linking all the camera and accessory specific data with film-fixedmarkings, recording-specific data, which can be reproduced at any time,are allocated to the film sequences to ensure an exact tie-up of realscenes, which are produced separately from each other, andcomputer-assisted three-dimensional animation scenes, with a reducedtime and production expense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The idea underlying the invention will now be explained in furtherdetail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic block circuit diagram of a cine camera withseveral remote control and listing modules;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic block circuit diagram of a cine camera withthree radio remote control modules and a cable manual operating unit;

FIG. 3 shows a network construction with two micro computers and a fileserver which are connected together by an access transceiver;

FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic network construction with relevant workstations which are each connected to a network through a microwavetransceiver;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are a plan view and side view of a universal motorcontrol unit, respectively;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are a plan view and side view of a radio control unit onthe operator side, respectively;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a combined radio control unit;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic signal flow chart for a camera lens system;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic illustrations of the individualcomponents of the camera lens system according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic block circuit diagram of a data listing andcontrol system;

FIG. 12 is a detailed block circuit diagram of the data listing andcontrol system according to FIG. 11; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 show views from the front and back of a universal datalisting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show diagrammatically a control, regulating and monitoringsystem for a cine camera which, to improve mobility, allows a wirelesscontrol and monitoring of all the camera functions, but which can alsobe operated with wiring.

The cine camera 1 consists of a camera housing 10 with a cameramechanism mounted therein for transporting the moving film, a rotatingaperture disc, and housing connections for the camera cassette 11, thecamera lens 12 and camera viewfinder 13, as well as an operating field18 for setting, storing and retrieving various camera functions. A focusdrive unit 14, a zoom drive unit 15 and an iris drive unit 16, which aredesigned, for example, corresponding to the drive unit according to DE42 20 129 A1, are mounted on two iris rods 19 which are connected to thecamera housing 10. The power supply for the cine camera 1 is through acamera battery 200 which is mounted separately from the camera housing10 or integrated in the camera housing 10.

The control, regulating and monitoring unit of the cine camera 1 isconnected by a connecting lead 110 to a control and detection unit 2 onthe camera side and the focus drive unit 14, zoom drive unit 15 and irisdrive unit 16 are attached to the control and detection unit 2 by leads140, 150 and 160. The control, regulating and monitoring unit of thecine camera 1 controls and monitors the different camera functions, suchas transport speed of the moving film, setting of the reflex aperture,operating a video playback, etc., and controls and monitors data on thecassette side, such as the type of cassette, the length of exposed andunexposed film, etc.

The control and detection unit 2 on the camera side is designedoptionally for radio or cable operation and is compatible with existingremote control units which are used for cable remote control. For radiooperation the control and detection unit 2 on the camera side has aradio modem unit which serves as "radio access point" for a star-shapedradio network. It furthermore contains a micro processor for couplingthe various component parts on the camera side with the radio modem unitfor sending out and receiving control and monitoring signals.

The control and detection unit 2 of the camera 1 is connected to aninterface for connecting the control and detection unit 2 to a BUS cablewhich is connected to the remote control and monitoring devices. For thecable operation of the control and detection unit 2 on the camera side,a cable is attached instead of the aerial or in the event of dispensingwith the radio modem unit, the connection with the control units on theoperator side is produced through a camera control BUS so that existingcable manual units can be connected directly to the control anddetection unit 2 on the camera side while wireless remote control unitsare attached through a control BUS adapter.

A first operator-side control unit 3 is provided on the remote controlside to which selectively cable remote control units 7, 30 can beattached and associated with the different camera and lens functions.Thus for example the remote control unit 7 can be used for zoom and iriscontrol whilst the remote control unit 30 can be used for focusadjustment, and setting the transport speed. A second control unit 4 isprovided for exclusive radio operation and can serve, for example, forthe sole focus adjustment.

A third control unit 5 is designed as a "pen-based computer," i.e. as ahand terminal for data transfer. A hand terminal of this kind issuitable not only for the input of control commands, but moreparticularly for carrying out monitoring functions, i.e. for indicatingand storing camera- and recording-specific data. This data can becoupled with additional information, for example the association ofcertain film sequences with the screenplay, or a film code for certaincamera settings. A pen-based computer of this kind is offered forexample by the firm of TELXON under their product reference PTC-1140 andhas a display with 64 grey steps and a cable-less electromagnetic penwith which recordings can be made directly on the screen or functionscan be selected from predetermined menus. The integrated radio modulefor cable-less data transfer uses the radio process Spread-Spectrum,MODACOM or ARDIS.

The power supply in radio operation is through batteries in the case ofcontrol units on the operator side and the power supply on the cameraside is supplied through the connecting cable to the camera. A paralleloperation of several transfer paths is possible and--as describedabove--several control units can maintain a connection with one cameraunit (network operation) whereby cabling can be omitted when usingseveral control units. In cable operation the battery can also beomitted because the power supply is supplied to the control unit throughthe cable connection from the side of the camera.

A work station 6 can also be incorporated into the radio network toallow the display, monitoring and listing of all the camera- andrecording-specific data as well as the input of control commands, and toprovide priorities of the control units on the operator side.

The radio connection between the control units 3, 4, 5 or the workstation 6 on the operator side and the control and detection unit 2 onthe camera side is produced by means of micro wave transceivers whichuse spread spectrum transmitting/receiving technology. Transmitters andreceivers are combined in these transceivers and are equipped with aunitary interface with the apparatus parts on the camera side and on theoperator side.

Alternatively, one of the several operator-controlled units 3, 4, 5, 6contains the following: a LCS BUS adapter with a lens control system andcamera control unit socket for attaching at least one remote controlunit controlling the camera functions and for sending out BUS controlsignals and the microprocessor-supported controller for reforming theinput control signals; a BUS control signals into a format suitable forradio transmission; and a modem module with a data modem with thematched connection to the microprocessor-supported controller.

In order to obtain a high data security, a special protocol with anautomatic CRC check is used which together with the hardware technologyis taken over by the radio LANs from computer technology. Theapparatuses normally work in the frequency range of 2.4 to 2.5 GHz,which in many countries is released for unlicensed data transfer. Thisapparatus technology allows reliable user-friendly incorporation ofcontrol computers into the camera and lens control in connection with acamera-specific software driver.

FIG. 2 shows, in a modification of the arrangement according to FIG. 1,a network with a control and detection unit 2 on the camera side andthree control units 3, 4, 40 on the operator side, of which the controlunit 3 is additionally connected to a cable remote control unit 7 whosesignals are converted by means of the radio modem of the control unit 3into radio signals.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show examples for incorporating the device forcontrolling, regulating and controlling cine cameras into a network.

FIG. 3 shows the connection of a central radio access point 91 with acontrol and data BUS 20 which is connected to a file server 9. The radioaccess point 91 sends and receives control commands and data from acontrol and detection unit 2 on the camera side as well as control units4, 5 on the operator side and two work stations 61, 62. A superordinatecontrol and monitoring device is thus provided which allows theco-ordination of different operator functions and can be used, forexample, for setting operator hierarchies, which allows the centralcontrol and monitoring of different cine cameras and which, whereapplicable, can also be used to synchronize different cameras forrecording one and the same scene.

Alternatively, FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of two radio access points92, 93 which are each aligned with a radio frequency on the operatorside so that they each send and receive only the transmission andreceiving signals of the control units 3 on the operator side, inconjunction with cable remote control units 7, 7a, and control unit 5a;or the signals of control units 4, 5b, and the control and detectionunits 2a and 2b on the camera side, which are each associated with onecine camera.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a control and detection unit 2 on the camera sidewhich can be used both for radio operation and cable operation. Thedifferent drive units for the focus, zoom and iris adjustment areconnected according to their function to the associated sockets 25, 26,27, or alternatively, are connected to a five-pole BUS socket. Switchesfor reversing the pole of the running direction are provided directlyadjacent the relevant motor connection socket. The camera and cassettefunctions can be input through an interface 29. The control anddetection unit 2 is initiated with an ON/OFF switch 28. The signals aresent to and received from the control units through a microwave antenna24.

Utilizing the network properties of the radio LAN technology makes itpossible, in conjunction with a suitable operating software, toimplement new functionalities and thus product features. Special mentionshould be made here of the possibility of a precise time coupling ofcamera slope functions with the displacement of the lens setting.Furthermore all memory functions such as are provided through the memorymodule option of a zoom motor unit, can be implemented in expanded formon radio PC's. The possibilities extend here to simple motion controlsystems. A forwarding of time code and scene data for administrationfunctions can also be carried out without a direct connection of thelens control system to the camera.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 7 show two variations of a control unit 4 on theoperator side which consist of an operating hand wheel 41 or twooperating hand wheels 41, 42 for input of, for example zoom, iris and/orfocus data, an input and display field 43 and an antenna 44. The controlunit on the operator side is modular in construction and comprises thefollowing modules: a controller, an operating hand wheel/hand wheels, amodem, a battery and a control system BUS adapter.

The controller is the central unit of the apparatus and contains amicroprocessor control for reforming the setting data and BUS signalsinto a format which is suitable for radio transmission. In addition thedata of an RS-232-channel can be added for transmission.

The modem module contains a radio data modem with matched connection tothe controller.

The control system BUS adapter consists substantially of a distributormember with a lens control BUS and a camera control unit socket whichprovides several possibilities for fitting out a multi-axis operationand using lens control manual units which already exist. A zoom unitwith or without a focusing unit as well as an apparatus compatible forthe control of the camera functions, such as the remote control units 7,7a, can be connected to the control system BUS adapter.

Furthermore, a second focusing knob can be attached so that a focus/irismain unit is provided without a zoom main unit being required. Thisconfiguration can also be connected, without the modem unit and battery,to the control and detection unit on the camera side through an existingfive-pole lens-control BUS cable.

The operating functions and operating elements provided for theoperating functions are designed analogous with the existing cablecontrol units and expanded with operating elements for radio operation.This relates in particular to the preselection of one of three radiochannels or bands which are available, which also allows thesimultaneous operation of three radio sets at one film location.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic overall view of the information flow betweenthe camera and lens system as well as the control unit on the operatorside. The control unit 5 on the operator side, which in this embodimentis designed as a pen-based computer, contains a display unit 50 as wellas an operator unit 51 which are connected to the cine camera 1 eitherwithout wires or through a cable. A lens 12 which can be coupled withtwo motor units 14, 15 for motorized adjustment can be connected to thelens connection of the cine camera 1.

The motor units 14, 15 receive from the lens 12 data on the focussetting, iris setting and lens coding, and in turn drive the adjustmentdevices of the lens. Furthermore, the motor units 14, 15 send outdetection signals on the actual focus, the actual iris setting and thelens coding to the cine camera 1, and receive from the cine camerasignals for the ideal focus and ideal iris setting.

Signals are sent from the cine camera 1, on the actual lens values andthe actual camera values, to the display unit 50 of the control unit 5on the operator side, and receive signals on the selected lens values,the selected camera values and calculated combination values, such as,for example, iris/image frequency, from the operator unit 51 of thecontrol unit 5 on the operator side.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an overall view of the components used for acamera/lens system. The camera lens 12 has coding discs for the opticalsetting values and selects a PL version which has no electricalinterface between the lens and cine camera. The motor unit 14 contains ascanning of the coding discs and serves, for example, to set the focusof the lens 12. The second motor unit 15 serves for the iris setting andis, like the first motor unit 14, connected directly to the cine camera1 and is fed from the battery on the camera side.

FIG. 10 shows diagrammatically the possibility of changing the lenswithout removing the motor unit as well as an optional possibleconnection for a direct manual operation with corresponding control unit21.

FIG. 11 shows an overall block circuit diagram of a data listing andcontrol system 8 which is connected to different suitable componentsrequired for a film recording as well as to a display unit 84, inputkeyboards 82, 83 and units 86 (not shown in further detail) forprocessing the detected and, where applicable, stored data, andconnected to a special marking unit 17. The data listing and controlsystem 8 contains a data collecting device 80 as well as a data listingand control device (a computer) 81 which are connected together by apreferably bi-directional data and control lead 85. With a pure datalisting operation, the data and control lead 85 would be aunidirectional lead. The data collected in the data collecting device 80and the data which has been obtained from the various components of afilm recording system, are sent to the data listing and control device81 which stores, and where applicable, displays the collected datalinked with a signal for the start of a recording sequence or links itto further input data.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment for connecting a data listing and controlsystem with a cine camera, several camera components, setting andoperating units for the cine camera and camera accessories as well asother components, such as tripod head, camera trolley and the like.

The data listing and control system consists of the embodiment shown inFIG. 12 of a data collecting device 80 with several front and backsockets, and operating elements, for which an embodiment is illustratedin FIGS. 13 and 14, and a data listing and control device 81, which isconnected to the data collecting device 80 by a data and control lead85. This data listing and control device 81 can preferably consist of aportable computer (notebook, laptop) or a fixedly installed computer.

Analogous with the embodiments described above, the cine camera 1consisting of a camera housing 10 with a camera mechanism mountedtherein for transporting the moving film, a rotating orbital aperture,where applicable, an iris diaphragm, a camera cassette 11, a camera lens12, a camera viewfinder 13 and an operating field 18 for setting,storing and retrieving different camera functions, is provided with irisrods 19 on which are mounted a focus drive unit 14, a zoom drive unit 15and an iris drive unit 16. Furthermore the cine camera 1 is connected toa camera battery 200.

A control and detection unit 2 on the camera side is connected throughleads 140, 150, 160 to the focus drive unit 14, the zoom drive unit 15and the iris drive unit 16, as well as to a further battery 201 andthrough a lead 87 to the data collecting device 80. A socket 100 on thecamera side is attached through a lead 101 to the data collecting device80 and the camera-specific data such as aperture setting, mechanismspeed and cassette data are adapted and input to the data collectingdevice 80. Furthermore, the data collecting device 80 is connected to aposition sensor 300 for a triple-axis tripod head from which sensorsignals 301, 302, 303 for inclining, tilting and panning the tripod headare sent to the data collecting device 80. Similarly, the datacollecting device 80 is connected to a position control and a detectionunit (400) for a camera trolley. Sensor signals are supplied to the datacollecting device via leads 401, 402, 403 from a camera trolley (dolly)and represent the rail position and height, as well as the type ofcamera trolley.

A setting and control unit 7 on the operator side and having hand wheels71, 72 for the input of zoom, iris and/or focus data as well as, whereapplicable, an input and display field, is connected to the datacollecting device 80 by the lead 90 so that this input data can also bedetected and processed further. Further connections exist between thedata collecting device 80 and a backup battery 51 through a lead 89 withan input keyboard 82, as well as through a lead 88 with a marking unit17 which produces film-fixed markings, for example, at the start of arecording sequence.

In the illustrated embodiment the marking unit 17 consists of a unitwhich applies light markings to the moving film. However, analogous withthis mechanical markings, can also be set at the beginning of arecording sequence which allow the data detected by the various units tobe correlated with the relevant recording sequence by means of, forexample, an image counter, i.e. the data can be stored when requiredsynchronous with the picture.

FIG. 13 shows a view of the front side 80a of a data collecting device80 with the various switch, display and connecting elements forconnecting with the camera and accessory units shown diagrammatically inFIG. 12. The data collecting device 80 is activated by a switch 801 andthe operating readiness is displayed. The switches 802, 803, 804 areused to undertake the detection, setting and compensation for the focusdrive unit, the zoom drive unit and the iris drive unit. The functionand rotary direction of the zoom, iris and focus drive unit can betested by using a test button 805.

The activation of the marking unit 17 according to FIG. 12 is carriedout through a display and switch unit 806 as well as the activation ofthe data detection through a switching and display element 807.Accessory parts such as a tripod head and a camera trolley for detectingthe incline, tilt and pan angle of the tripod head as well as thesetting, height and type of camera trolley are detected at the sockets808 to 813.

The back 80b of the data collecting device 80 has a connection 814 foran input keyboard, connections 815 for the film marking unit, aconnection 817 for the backup battery as well as connections 818 for thelens control units, a multi-pole connection 816 for the connection withthe data detection and control device 81 according to FIG. 12, aconnecting socket 819 for the input of a time code and a multi-poleconnection 820 for the connection with the camera socket 100.

The data detected by the various units are synchronized and entered withthe camera data, that is, synchronized with the film images of a filmsequence. The actual values of the data are read and sent to the datadetection and control device 81 for listing, further processing andsending signals to display devices. The listing of the data can therebybe selectively brought into connection with a time code applied to themoving film so that an association is made between the recording sceneand genuine time.

By applying an optical mark on the film by means of the marking unit 17the data recorded by the various units are correlated with the relevantfilm sequence and the corresponding data which have been linked togetherare listed in a data file. By retrieving the interlinked data or byderiving control signals from the interlinked data it is possible, forexample, for setting up a virtual camera for 3D-animation to produce alink with the relevant animation which has a synchronized image andrecording object. Then the virtual camera carries out, for example,exactly the same swivel action as the real recording camera. In this wayspecial effects can easily be incorporated in the film by, for example,scanning the original image recorded with the real camera andsuperimposing the original image on the image in 3D animation. Thecombined image is then exposed onto the negative film by means of anexposure device.

The image synchronization is carried out by an image counter which,where applicable and with the presence of a time code device, is linkedwith same. By applying a film-fixed marking it is possible to associateeach film image accordingly with the recording sequence by incrementingeach film image starting from the film-fixed marking. The attachment ofadditional film-fixed markings can basically be omitted if the time codedevice is configured accordingly.

An essential advantage of the arrangement of the data collecting device80, according to FIG. 12, consists in being able to remove, whenrequired, the data collecting device 80 from the complete system so thateven without the data collecting device the operation of the cine camera1 with the complete accessories is guaranteed. The incorporation of adata collecting device 80 in connection with a data detection andcontrol device 81 guarantees a more efficient production, whilepreserving the artistic freedoms of the operator, as well as a quickassembly. Further, the incorporation guarantees configuration of all theunits as required by incorporating mobile units, without impairing thenormal camera operation, and an image-synchronous storage of all thecamera- and recording-specific data.

The data detection system supplies the user with the necessary functionsfor the automatic listing of data of the cine camera, the lens motors,the tripod head and camera trolley as well as for setting the varioussystem configurations according to the requirements of a recordingsequence. This function contains the device for marking the start ofeach individual recording sequence by controlling the exposure markingunit 17. The function of the data collecting device 80 also containsrange setting and compensating functions for the lens setting units andthe setting and resetting of starting positions of the tripod head andcamera trolley path counter.

The system records image-related data of all recording components andsends the data in parallel or serially to the filing computer 81 whichstores and classifies the data, and sends out control and displaysignals. Image counting information with time relations to time codedata which are likewise detected at the start of each recording sequencearc incorporated in the serial data flow. The data flow consists of aseries of different types of information and is sent to the filingcomputer 81 during a recording sequence with a filing rate which dependson the recording speed of the cine camera. The start of filing issynchronous with the control impulse for the optical marking unit 17.The data listing is automatically terminated by the data collectingdevice when the speed of the cine camera drops, for example, below threeimages per second.

At the start of each film sequence, a film sequence mark is recorded byusing the film-fixed optical marking together with the detectedcorresponding time code data and the image counter is set back to thevalue nil. The data collecting device 80 is controlled by means of themarking impulse after the high speed running of the cine camera and thedata detection is status-synchronous with same. The optical marking unit17 and the start of the data listing can be effected selectivelymanually by means of a button provided on the data collecting device orby a start signal sent out by the data detection and control device 81.Additionally there is the possibility of providing a remote controlswitch for the manual control. The optical marking signal is therebylikewise to be seen on a video playback.

The back-up voltage supply 51 serves to prevent the position counters ofthe tripod head 300 and camera trolley 400 in the data collecting device80 from losing their calibration setting or basic setting in the eventthat the tripod head or camera trolley is moved while the power supplyfor the cine camera is not switched on and, consequently, the powersupply for the data collecting device is also not active if this isobtained directly from the camera.

After sending out the marking impulse and the automatic start of thedata detection and data transfer connected therewith, image data,recording sequence data, calibration data as well as the general systemstatus are sent through the data and control lead 85, according to FIG.12, to the data detection and control device 81.

At the end of the recording sequence, when the camera speed drops belowthree images per second, the data detection is automatically stopped. Asan alternative here, individual threshold values can be provided forending the data detection in order to utilize the entire speed range ofthe cine camera.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for controlling, regulating andmonitoring a motion-picture camera having camera and recordingfunctions, the device comprising:camera devices controlling anddetecting at least one of said camera and recording functions; a controland data detection unit coupled to the camera devices for controllingsaid camera devices and receiving information from the camera devicerelating to the camera and recording functions, wherein the control anddata detection unit comprises a bi-directional radio transmission andreceiving unit; and a plurality of operation control units having abi-directional radio transmission and receiving unit for transmittingsignals to and for receiving signals from the bi-directional radiotransmission and receiving unit of said control and data detection unit,wherein each of the plurality of operation control units receive controldata input from an operator, transmit control signals in response tosaid data input to the control and data detection unit to control thecamera devices for controlling the camera and recording functions, andreceive control signals relating to the camera and recording functionsfrom the control and data detection unit responsive to the receivedinformation; and wherein each of the plurality of operation controlunits is capable of being used simultaneously by individual operators atdifferent locations.
 2. A device for controlling, regulating andmonitoring a motion-picture camera having camera and recordingfunctions, and having camera devices for controlling and detecting atleast one of the camera and recording functions, the device having acamera side and an operator side comprising:a control and data detectionunit on the camera side for coupling with the camera devices forcontrolling said camera devices and for receiving information from thecamera devices relating to the camera and recording functions, whereinthe control and data detection unit comprises a bi-directional radiotransmission and receiving unit; and a plurality of operation controlunits on the operator side having a bi-directional radio transmissionand receiving unit for transmitting signals to and for receiving signalsfrom the bi-directional radio transmission and receiving unit of saidcontrol and data detection unit, wherein the plurality of operationcontrol units receive control data input on the operator side, transmitcontrol signals in response to said data input to the control and datadetection unit on the camera side for controlling the camera devices forcontrolling and detecting at least one of the camera and recordingfunctions, and receive control signals relating to the camera andrecording functions from the control and data detection unit responsiveto the received information; and wherein each of the plurality ofoperation control units is capable of being used simultaneously byindividual operators at different locations.
 3. The device according toclaim 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the operation control units has aremote control and monitoring device, wherein the control and datadetection unit is connected to an interface for connecting the controland data detection unit to a BUS cable which is connected to the remotecontrol and monitoring device.
 4. The device according to claim 1 or 2wherein the plurality of operation control units are of modularconstruction and contain:a) a LCS BUS adapter with a lens control systemand camera control unit socket attaching at least one remote controlunit controlling the camera functions and sending out BUS controlsignals; b) a microprocessor-supported controller reforming the inputcontrol signals and BUS control signals into a format suitable for radiotransmission; and c) a modem module with a data modem with matchedconnection to the microprocessor-supported controller.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 2 wherein the plurality of operation control unitsand the control and data detection unit each have a device selecting oneof several radio bands.
 6. The device according to claim 2 wherein oneof the operation control units is a pen-based computer.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 2 wherein one of the operation control units isconnected by a BUS adapter to at least one cable remote control unit. 8.The device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the bi-directional radiotransmission and receiving unit of the control and data detection unit,and the bi-directional radio transmission and receiving unit of each ofthe plurality of operation control units each further comprise amicrowave transceiver.
 9. The device according to claim 8 wherein themicrowave transceivers utilize spread spectrum transmitting/receivingtechnology.
 10. The device according to claim 8 wherein a protocol withan automatic CRC check is used in the microwave transceivers.
 11. Thedevice according to claim 1 wherein the control and data detection unitis connected to a device that is capable of at least one of producingand detecting a plurality of film-fixed markings,the device furthercomprising a data listing and control system connected to at least oneof: a) a socket on the motion-picture camera for at least one ofdetecting and controlling camera-specific settings; b) the control anddata detection unit; c) at least one of the plurality of operationcontrol units; d) a position sensor for a tripod head; e) a positioncontrol and a detection unit for a camera trolley; f) the control devicefor producing the film-fixed markings; g) an input keyboard; h) a datasecurity battery; and i) an external time code signal provider.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the control and datadetection unit and one of the operation control units has a microcomputer protocolling camera-specific data.
 13. The device according toclaim 2 wherein the control and data detection unit is connected to adevice that is capable of at least one of producing and detecting aplurality of film-fixed markings.
 14. The device according to claim 13further comprising a data listing and control system connected to atleast one of:a) a socket on the motion-picture camera for at least oneof detecting and controlling camera-specific settings; b) the controland data detection unit; c) at least one of the plurality of operationcontrol units; d) a position sensor for a tripod head; e) a positioncontrol and a detection unit for a camera trolley; f) the control devicefor producing the film-fixed markings; g) an input keyboard; h) a datasecurity battery; and i) an external time code signal provider.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 14 wherein the data listing and control systemfurther comprises a data detection and distribution device and acomputer which stores the detected data and sends out control signals,the data detection and distribution device and the computer being linkedtogether by a data and control lead.